Is Frank Ocean in a Relationship with a Male Model?

R&B singer Frank Ocean has sparked rumors once again after he posted a photo on his Instagram account Sunday night. The image shows the musician embracing Willy Cartier, a French male model, the Hollywood Reporter reports.

In July the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All member took to his Tumblr and revealed that his first love was with a man --- days before his debut album "Channel Orange" dropped, the Associated Press reported.

"Four summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide," the "Pyramids" singer wrote.

According to the Reporter, several sources have identified the mystery man, who has long, brown, flowing hair, as Cartier and rumors have sprouted that the French model is Ocean's current boyfriend. The singer recently mentioned Cartier on his Twitter and even hinted at marriage, writing,"Marry em, make em American."

But the picture appears to be a candid photo of the two men and it looks like it was taken from a movie screen, which has led some to believe that the model will appear in Ocean's next music video. The singer is set to release his next single, "Lost," on Dec. 17.

E! Online points out that Ocean and Cartier have shown up together at red carpet events, including GQ's Men of the Year party, but there was no displays of affection between them.

Although homophobic sentiments have been far too common in the rap and R&B community, Ocean was met with praise by peers when he revealed his same-sex love affair.

"I think it's definitely important and it really signifies that there is a changing of the face of hip-hop," said Chuck Creekmur, founder of the leading website allhiphop.com. Creekmur also called Ocean's announcement "a sign of the times."

"There is still a very nasty streak of homophobia in this country that we have to overcome," Russell Simmons, a founder and former owner of Def Jam, said. "I'm hoping the support by his friends and the members of the creative community will override it and, whatever he loses, he will gain more."

Ocean hasn't only been applauded for his courageous move but also for his music. Not only has he written songs for pop star heavyweights, including Beyonce and Justin Bieber, Rolling Stone gave his record 4 stars and Pitchfork rated it a 9.5 out of 10. Additionally, both Spin and Paste magazine named "Channel Orange" the best record of 2012, while Filter and Mojo placed it at number two on their end-year-lists.

Comments

Anonymous, 2012-12-05 11:35:31

Wow... really, I think at this point does it matter, I wish some on would tell me where love lives, because if Gods is love, then it is not exclusive to the Physical form of just men and woman. I know where love dwells. Best of luck to you both Frank & Willy Best regards, Rebel Price.

Anonymous, 2012-12-05 11:52:01

P.s Guys, if you would be so kind as to set a brother up with Daniel Bamdad....Yum!!!!

Blondie SL, 2012-12-07 09:57:03

He is soooo cute! I hooe more celebs cone out. The belief that coming out destroys careers is such an out dated view... and just wrong these days.

For years, anti-gay epithets and sentiments in rap have largely been accepted, along with its frequent misogyny and violence, as part of the hip-hop culture, but it appears a shift in tone is on the horizon.